Ship Docking Image Guidance for Accurate Berthing With Less Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship docking systems require excessive hardware resources and struggle to accurately detect the relative positions of a ship body and docking target at varying distances, especially when the ship is far from the wharf.
Innovation Solution
A ship docking assisting apparatus that uses an imager mounted at the front of the ship to capture images of the docking target and water surface, calculating relative positional relationships and storing them as ship information, which is then used to assist docking operations without the need for pre-stored map information, thereby reducing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras are provided on the ship body to capture images of the docking target, then the relative positional relationship between the ship body and docking target can be displayed, but the hardware resources increase and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for docking from the image data. Instead of using multiple cameras to capture comprehensive views, the system processes images to extract docking target position and ship body position information, then calculates only the necessary relative positional relationship. This reduces hardware requirements while maintaining docking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system is designed to serve multiple functions: it detects the docking target position, determines the ship body position, calculates relative positional relationships, and provides guidance information. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate detection systems, reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If images are taken when the ship is far from the wharf during approaching operation, then the docking target and surroundings can be detected, but the detection accuracy decreases due to the long distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic image processing that adapts to the ship's distance from the wharf. During approaching operation at long distances, the system processes images to detect both the docking target and surrounding features, using these to establish relative positional relationships. As the ship approaches and distance decreases, the system adjusts its processing to focus on precise target positioning, maintaining accuracy across varying distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the docking target and surrounding features when the ship is still at a distance during approaching operation. This preliminary action establishes initial positional relationships that guide the subsequent docking maneuver, allowing the system to plan the approach path before the ship is in the immediate docking zone, thereby maintaining detection effectiveness across all phases.
3Ease of operation
If pre-stored map information is used to assist docking, then the docking process can be guided, but the hardware resources and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the ship's own imager and processing system to detect and establish relative positional relationships between the ship body and docking target in real-time. Instead of relying on pre-stored map information from external sources, the system uses its own sensors to autonomously determine position and provide docking guidance. This self-service approach eliminates the need for extensive storage resources while maintaining ease of operation.
4Loss of information
If multiple cameras are used to capture images at different positions, then comprehensive docking information can be obtained, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple cameras into a single imager that captures images for determining both the docking target position and the ship body position. The image processing system then extracts multiple pieces of information from these images, including relative positional relationships and docking guidance data. This merging approach maintains information completeness while significantly reducing system complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A ship docking assisting apparatus and a ship docking assisting method assist a ship to be accurately docked with reduced hardware. The ship docking assisting apparatus includes a storage and a ship docking assist processor. The ship docking assisting apparatus and the ship docking assisting method assist the docking of the ship by outputting ship information related to the ship to an assist target device. The ship docking assist processor acquires image information including a docking target and the water surface taken by an imager. The ship docking assist processor calculates at least one relative positional relationship between a ship body and the docking target from a plurality of sets of image information. The ship docking assist processor stores the relative positional relationships in the storage as ship information, and outputs the at least one set of ship information stored in the storage to the assist target device.